Joe Comuzzi
PC | |
---|---|
Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North Thunder Bay—Nipigon, 1988–2000 | |
In office 2000–2008 | |
Preceded by | Ernie Epp |
Succeeded by | Bruce Hyer |
Personal details | |
Born | Joseph Robert Comuzzi April 5, 1933 Fort William, Ontario, Canada |
Died | December 31, 2021 Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada | (aged 88)
Political party | Conservative (after 2007) |
Other political affiliations | Liberal (1988–2007) Independent (2007) |
Spouse |
Janet M. Casgrain
(died 2014) |
Children | 4 |
Residence | Thunder Bay |
Profession | Barrister and solicitor, businessman, lawyer |
Joseph Robert Comuzzi,
Early life
Comuzzi was born in Fort William, Ontario, on April 5, 1933.[1] He studied at the University of Windsor, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.[2] Twelve years later, he received the University of Windsor Alumni Award of Merit, the Alumni Association's most prestigious award.[3] After working in the Thunder Bay business community for 24 years, he went back to his alma mater and obtained a law degree in 1980.[2] He also served as a school representative on the Lakehead Board of Education.[1][2]
Political career
Comuzzi entered federal politics in 1988, running in the election that year for the Liberal Party of Canada. He was elected to the House of Commons, representing the riding of Thunder Bay—Superior North. As an opposition MP, he served as chair of the Standing Committee on Transport and a member of the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.[1] During his tenure as an MP, Comuzzi advocated for key issues specific to his riding: Great Lakes transportation and water quality, the pulp and paper industry, the softwood lumber dispute, grain transportation, mining, small business, health care and the local economy. He also served in various leadership capacities pertaining to transportation and industry.[2][4] His views on gun registry spending and official bilingualism were at odds with the Liberals.[5] His call to review the latter policy on its 25th anniversary in 1998 drew the ire of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.[4]
Comuzzi was appointed
An opponent of same-sex marriage in Canada, Comuzzi resigned from cabinet on June 28, 2005, so that he could be free of a two-line party whip and oppose Bill C-38.[4][8] He was eventually expelled from the Liberal caucus for pledging to support the Conservative budget on March 21, 2007.[4] He stated that his support for the budget was due to "a single issue that's of absolute critical importance to all the people in Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario, and that's the cancer research centre".[9] He subsequently joined the Conservative Party on June 26 that year.[5] On September 5, 2008, Comuzzi announced that he would retire from politics and not seek another term in the following federal election.[10][11]
Personal life
Comuzzi was married to Janet M. Casgrain until her death in 2014.[12] Together, they had four children.[2] He died on December 31, 2021, at the age of 88.[13][14]
References
- ^ a b c d "The Hon. Joseph R. (Joe) Comuzzi, P.C., M.P." Ottawa, Canada: Library of Parliament. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Joe Comuzzi". Liberal Party of Canada. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ "Alumni Awards". University of Windsor. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Ex-Liberal Comuzzi to join Tories: report". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. June 23, 2007. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ a b "Harper makes it official: Comuzzi joins Tory fold". CTV News. June 26, 2007. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ a b "Roles – Hon. Joe Comuzzi". House of Commons of Canada. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- Thunder Bay's Source.
- ^ "Comuzzi quits cabinet over same-sex bill". CBC News, June 28, 2005.
- ^ "Comuzzi expelled from Liberal caucus over budget". CTV News, March 21, 2006.
- ^ "Comuzzi won't run in upcoming election". Thunder Bay's Source, September 5, 2008.
- ^ "Ontario MP Joe Comuzzi announces retirement". CTV News. September 6, 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
- ^ "Thunder Bay loses former Federal Member of Parliament". Lake Superior News. January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ "Former Liberal cabinet minister Joe Comuzzi dead at 88". CBC News. January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ Dunick, Leith (January 2, 2022). "Former cabinet minister Joe Comuzzi dies at 88". TBNewsWatch.com. Retrieved January 6, 2022.